IN THE CIRCUIT COURT
OF SUMMERS COUNTY,
WEST VIRGINIA
IN THE INTEREST OF:
JOSIAH MALIK SMITH,
PETITIONER.
Child Abuse and Neglect
Number 21-JA-30
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The Register Herald
801 N. Kanawha St.
Beckley, WV 25801
304-255-4400
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The purpose of this action is to determine the guardianship of Josiah Malik Smith. Petitioner, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, is seeking continued legal and physical custody of said child and Termination of Parental Rights.
It appearing that the whereabouts of Christopher Johnson, or anyone claiming paternity to said child, may presently be in the Raleigh, County, West Virginia area, it is ORDERED that Christopher Johnson or anyone claiming paternity of said child appear in the Circuit Court of the Honorable Robert A. Irons, Judge of the Circuit Court of Summers County, West Virginia, 120 Ballengee Street, Suite 103, Hinton, West Virginia, 25951, on July 19, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. of that day and object or make other defense to the Petitioner. Otherwise, guardianship of the child may be granted to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the parental rights of the father to said child my be terminated.
Further, it is hereby ORDERED that Christopher Johnson or anyone claiming paternity of said child be advised of his or their rights to have counsel at every stage of these proceedings, and that counsel will be appointed if they cannot pay the services of counsel and that such proceedings may result in the severance of parental rights and the transfer of custody of said child to the Petitioner.
Entered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Summers County, West Virginia, on the 13 day of July, 2021.
STACY FORD, CLERK